The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Sponsor a wreath, for those laid to rest

By

Staff Sgt. Andrew King, of Oklahoma, and Sgt. Kristopher Calnon, from California, at the time both stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, post one of the ceremonial wreaths during a previous Wreaths Across America event, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. (File)

Wreath maker Morrill Worcester found himself with a surplus of 5,000 wreaths during the holiday season in 1992, in Harrington, Maine, and seized the opportunity to pay tribute to our country’s veterans, according to the Wreaths Across America website.

With the help of then Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, Worcester arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. This annual tribute has continued every year since, touching the lives of millions of veterans’ families and volunteers.

Boy Scout Troop 117 of Zephyrhills is collecting sponsorships through Nov. 19, for the wreath program.

There will be a local ceremony, open to the public, on Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m., followed by the placing of wreaths at Florida National Cemetery, in Bushnell, where 180,000 local veterans are laid to rest.

To sponsor a wreath, you can do one of the following:

  • Order online at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/FL0498P. (If requesting a specific grave, service member information must be supplied.)
  • Mail a money order or check made out to Wreaths Across America, WAA c/o Meagan Sammons, P.O. Box 3103, Zephyrhills, FL 33539.

To specify service member information for a specific grave, or to request a pickup, please call Meagan Sammons, scout master Troop 117, at 813-838-3822.

For more about the program started by Worcester, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

Published October 27, 2021

Gov. DeSantis calls for special session of the legislature

By

Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for a special session of the Florida Legislature to take aim at a federal plan to force businesses of 100 employees or more to require their workers to be vaccinated.

“We have a situation in our country now, where very much, the federal government is trying to use the heavy hand of government to force a lot of these injections,” the governor said, during a news conference in Clearwater on Oct. 21.

“And, you have a lot of folks that actually believe that decision should be theirs, and believe in having basic medical freedom and individual choice, and that your right to earn a living should not be contingent upon COVID shots,” he continued.

“And so, attorney general (Ashley Moody) and I — we are working — we want to contest that contractor mandate in court, as well. We’ve got to make sure we’ve got the right plaintiff, in terms of what we can do. You know a lot of these contractors probably aren’t going to do it themselves because they know there will reprisals, if they do it.

“But that has an impact on thousands and thousands of people in the state of Florida.”

“We’re also, when it comes out, going to contest the mandate they’re going to impose on hospitals through CMS, where they’re basically saying, ‘If you don’t do forced injections, then you lose Medicare/Medicaid funding.

“Well, none of these health care providers would be able to even function, particularly in a state like Florida, where most of their patients are on Medicare.

“So, we think that’s illegal, that’s wrong,” DeSantis said.

“We’re also going to be taking legislative action to add protections for people in the state of Florida. “That’s something that cannot wait until the regular legislative session next year.

“It needs to happen soon. So, we will be calling the legislature back for a special session,” the governor announced, and when he did, those gathered at the news conference cheered.

During this special session, the governor is asking the legislature to provide protections for employees facing termination because of COVID-19 vaccine mandates and to reaffirm that government entities including school districts may not fire any employee based on COVID-19 vaccine status, according to a news release on the governor’s website.

“Violating government entities should be held accountable. Employers’ broad liability protections should also be reevaluated if they harm employees through vaccine mandates,” the posting says.

The governor also is asking the legislature to provide greater protections to parents to manage the health care decisions of their children, including the freedom to opt their children out of mask mandates, the website posting adds.

In response to the governor’s call for a special session, Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson and Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls issued a joint statement.

“Across the country, hard-working employees and business owners trying to make a living are being threatened by the Biden Administration’s reckless one-size-fits-all approach to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Meanwhile, the rights of parents are being trampled on. Florida will respond to this gross overreach by the federal government,” their statement says.

“In the coming days, we will review the governor’s specific proposals as well as discuss our own ideas for legislative action, including whether now is the time for Florida to withdraw from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and establish our own state program. We believe that by doing so, Florida will have the ability to alleviate onerous federal regulations placed on employers and employees.

“We stand with the dedicated health care workers, law enforcement, first responders, military service members, and all workers across the country who never got a day off and couldn’t work from home during the pandemic. Too many of our esteemed heroes are facing termination thanks to heavy handedness at all levels of government. During the upcoming special session, our goal is to make our laws even more clear that Florida stands as refuge for families and businesses who want to live in freedom,” the joint statement concludes.

Published October 27, 2021

This household staple is a much-needed item

By

The Peanut Butter Challenge — UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries —again is in full swing statewide this year, according to a UF/IFAS news blog.

The challenge was conceived as a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays, in addition to promoting a Florida-grown crop.

Peanut butter is nutrient-dense and shelf-stable, and is a popular item in food pantries.

Fifty-three counties, including Hillsborough and Pasco, are participating in this year’s event, including a partnership with the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Cooperative Extension.

Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated to local county Extension offices through Nov. 24.

At the end of the donation period, the number of jars is tallied to determine the bragging rights champion before the donations are delivered to those in need.

Pasco collection points for jars of peanut butter will be the main office of UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, 36702 State Road 52 in Dade City, and The One Stop Shop satellite office at 15029 14th St., in Dade City. They will delivered to area food pantries.

To learn more about the challenge, visit tinyurl.com/5e992z9e.

Published October 27, 2021

Painted hay bales bring a festive fall feel to Dade City

By

Artists took humble bales of hay and applied their imagination to create some festive fall scenes for pieces of public art that are strategically placed in spots around Dade City.

Fall traditionally is a time for getting together with loved ones. Jasmine and Curtis Wright’s artistic hay bale issues an invitation to gather. It’s on display at Agnes Lamb Park, at 14200 Ninth St. (Courtesy of Dade City Center for the Arts)

The Dade City Hay Bale Painting Project, now in its second year, gives artists a chance to express their creativity and gives visitors to the quaint East Pasco town the opportunity to enjoy the seasonal artworks.

“The Dade City Center for the Arts was pleased to make this our second annual art event, especially since we had such a great community response last year,” said Lucy Avila, of the arts center, via email.

“We are very grateful to our artists who have shared their time and talent to make this art project such a success that is being enjoyed by all,” she added.

The arts center also appreciates the local hay producers who provided giant rolls of hay and delivered them for the project, according to its website.

The hay bales are stationed at locations around Dade City and will be on display through Thanksgiving, the website says. For more information, you can visit DadeCityArts.com.

This smiling scarecrow seems a little too friendly to scare birds away, but he sure knows how to set a tone for a happy fall. Randy Hernandez is the artist on this work, which is on display at Price Park, 37415 Magnolia Ave.

Some of the artists shared the source of their inspiration with Avila, who, in turn, shared them with The Laker/Lutz News.

Kevin Taggerty, whose image of an American flag on a hay bale is positioned at the Hardy Trail and Church Avenue, told Avila: “I love our country, as well as served it for 23 years in the USAF (U.S. Air Force).

“Veterans Day is in November and it’s a tribute to them.

“I also did a small tribute on the back of the hay bale that shows our 13 stars (colonies) as well as represents the 13 fallen soldiers we recently had in Afghanistan.

“I love our flag. If we don’t start showing our nation respect and step up for her, who else will?

“The flag makes me proud and I feel most Americans get goose bumps when we are gathered around singing the National Anthem.

This hay bale, stationed at Agnes Lamb Park, at 14200 Ninth St., in downtown Dade City, features the symbol of plenty. It was painted by Jasmine and Curtis Wright.

“I hope this hay bale acts as a unity symbol and grows us closer together,” Taggerty said.

Artist Karen Menard created paintings of sunflowers and a lady bug.

“I have created sunflowers in many forms and mediums, including paint, clay, and with fabric in quilts,” Menard shared. In this case, she used a hay bale.

The image of the lady bug is a tribute to her mother.

“Growing up, my sisters and I were Girl Scouts, and my mother was our troop leader. Her camp name was “Lady,” and my sisters and I and all of our friends called her that name. She passed away a few years ago, but she is fondly remembered whenever we see lady bugs.”

Randy Hernandez shared that he wanted to create a hay bale with a very “fall” feel.

The front is a friendly scarecrow, welcoming visitors to downtown.

The back is his rendition of “a colorful, dreamy landscape that you would typically see in the hills of Dade City.”

Avila noted that this is the first time that opportunities were offered for sponsorships, and these sponsors stepped up to help out: Dennis Realty, Florida Cracker Lunch on Limoges, Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Karatinos Law PLLC, RX Care Pharmacy, Schaper Roofing, Construction & Pools, and Soriano Insurance.

Published October 27, 2021

Doesn’t this slice of pumpkin pie look inviting? This image comes courtesy of Ryah Taggerty and is on display at Naomi Jones Park, 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd.

 

 

 

Kevin Taggerty is shown here working on his depiction of the American flag, on a hay bale positioned at the Hardy Trail at 37856 Church Ave. The location is across from the American Legion.
Artist Karen Menard loves creating sunflowers and has done them in many forms, using paint, clay and fabric for her creations. In this case, she used a bale of hay. You can view it at Watson Park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets.
This ‘lady’s’ bug is a tribute to artist Karen Menad’s mom, Dolores Griffin. It is on display at Watson park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets.

 

Halloween doesn’t need to be all about candy

By

You want to hear something scary?

The amount of sugar the average child consumes on Halloween can be downright frightening.

Industry reports suggest the average trick-or-treater consumes three cups of sugar on Halloween, or about 7,000 calories worth of candy, according to a report in Fortune.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with kids wanting to join in on the fun of the holiday — and a few pieces of candy for a couple of days isn’t going to lead to childhood obesity.

Who says you have to use a pumpkin to make a Jack-o’-lantern? Why not use a pepper? There are other edible decorations you can make, too. Try your hand at making some fun, less sugary, treats. (Shari Bresin)

In fact, studies show that banning candy or other certain foods altogether increases the chances of a child overindulging in the “bad” food once they have access to it, compared to kids that don’t have such restrictions.

But keeping a few pounds worth of candy in the coming days and weeks around the house, creates too much of a sugar-accessible environment.

For those who know that their children (or themselves) might not have the self-control, this can have an unhealthy impact.

Kids, and adults for that matter, can fill up on candy throughout the day and can skip the healthy snacks or actual meals needed for adequate nutrition.

Plus, those sweets can result in an excess intake of calories.

So what can you do?

Here’s an idea: Introduce your kids to the Switch Witch.

The Switch Witch is similar to the tooth fairy and Santa.

The Switch Witch is a good witch who needs candy to heat her home and keep her broomsticks going, and is willing to swap a toy or prize for your child’s candy.

After your child (and you) sift through the candy and decide on how many pieces to keep (best to discuss this number in advance), you leave the rest of the candy out in a common area for the Switch Witch.

The Switch Witch will take the candy while your children are asleep and will replace the candy with a prize.

You can then donate the candy to a food pantry or other charitable cause, or take it to work as a treat for your colleagues.

The Switch Witch provides an easy way to get rid of the excess candy, it may minimize temper tantrums with your children, and can help you teach them about limiting their candy intake.

There’s a story and a doll that’s available for purchase (check Google), which can help you build excitement for the Switch Witch’s upcoming visit. But much like Santa and the tooth fairy, it’s not necessary to see the Switch Witch to engage the imagination of a child.

What else can you do to make Halloween fun and food-centered, while trying to keep the excess sugar to a minimum?

You don’t need to be a food-crafting expert to have fun with your kids and impress party guests. Here are a few ideas:

  • Jack-o’-lantern cheese quesadillas:

Either ‘carve’ free-handed or trace an image from your pumpkin carving kit onto a tortilla shell using a toothpick and then carve it with a paring knife.

Next, put cheese (or other ingredients) onto the bottom tortilla shell, then top it off with the shell with the carved face.

Place in the oven for about 10 minutes, and the melted cheese makes it look lit up.

  • Jack-o’-lantern orange peppers

A pepper that can stand on its own and has a smooth surface for cutting is best to use for this.

Make a cut at the top stem of an orange pepper, and scoop out the seeds and the membrane.

Carve free-handed with a paring knife to cut out small eyes and mouth, or draw out a face using a gel pen, and cut slightly beyond the pen markings.

Put a thick dip inside the pepper, such as ranch or avocado dip. If the dip is too thin, it will come out of the eyes and the mouth.

Or, simply use the pepper as a ‘veggie’ tray, holding carrots and celery sticks.

  • Apple teeth

Make 12 to 14 thin apple slices. Take two slices and spread peanut butter on one side of each, to act as a glue. Place miniature marshmallows on the peanut butter sides, and sandwich together to make a mouth.

  • Monster mouth

Cut an apple into quarters or halves. Remove the seeds. Make a wedge in the skin to create a mouth, then add peanut butter and items such as sliced almonds, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, raisins and so on, to make the teeth and eyes. You can create the effect with a sliced strawberry for the tongue. (Be sure to add lemon juice, if they won’t be eaten right away.)

  • Candy corn skewers

Use pineapple for yellow, cantaloupe for orange and banana for white. Places the pieces through a skewer to create a treat that looks like candy corn and is just as sweet.

  • Pretzel spiders

If your kids like protein peanut butter energy bites, make them a little more Halloween-spirited.

Break up regular-shaped pretzels and insert them to create legs, and attach two pine nuts for eyes

  • Edible eyeballs

Slice carrots, and add a little bit of cream cheese on the top and place a sliced olive to make an eyeball.

Remember, you don’t have to be the sugar police, but there’s plenty of candy going on around

this time of year, and it’s important to find the right balance.

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Published October 20, 2021

Solid waste commercial rates to change in Pasco

By

Pasco County is proposing that future commercial waste collection rates be determined by the open market.

The Pasco County Commission is set to have a public hearing on the issue at its Oct. 26 meeting, at 1:30 p.m., in the first floor board room at the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, in New Port Richey.

The county currently sets a fixed maximum hauling charge based on the size and numbers of containers. The last adjustment for those rates for commercial customers occurred on Jan. 1, 2009, according to agenda backup materials for the county board’s Oct. 12 meeting.

During the past 12 years, the costs of equipment, fuel, and staffing for private waste haulers within the county have increased significantly, the agenda materials note.

Since the last adjustment, the Producer Price Indices (PPI) for truck transportation have increased over 25%.

The county now plans to join other counties around the state in allowing commercial haulers to operate in an open market, and letting competition among private businesses establish the charges.

The price for residential waste collection will not be affected by the change.

On another issue, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey raised the need for developing some type of voluntary registry to help the county reach out to leaders of Community Development Districts and Homeowner Associations.

She said she would like to be able to create a system to make it easier to reach these groups to provide opportunities for them to learn more about county departments and services, to help them to address issues within their communities. But such meetings are difficult to arrange without contact information for the leadership of the associations, she said.

Commissioner Mike Moore agreed that such a registry would have value and supported an effort to create one. He told his colleagues that the county may be able to pick up some pointers from Hillsborough County, on this issue.

In other action, the county board:

  • Amended the composition of the Airport Zoning Commission to add Hidden Lake Airport, and appointed James Bunn to represent that airport. The board, which helps with the creation of airport zoning regulations had three board members in the past, each representing a public use airport: Pilot Country Airport, Tampa North Aero Park, and the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Now the advisory zoning panel will have four board members.
  • Approved a two-year extension for the county’s construction of trail restrooms at the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve. The extension is needed because of delays in funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Officially recognized the Fire Cadet Program as a county initiative. It has operated since 1989, but has never been formally recognized. Cadets are high school-aged individuals who want to pursue a fire service career after graduation. They are given exposure to all aspects of the fire service and its pathways to various careers. Participants meet regularly to learn the ins and outs of becoming a firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic.
  • Approved spending up to $2.3 million for fiscal year 2022 for legal services, which are exempt from competition. The funds are designated for retaining the services of law firms, outside counsel, process servers, investigators, expert witnesses, trial consultants or similar persons or firms deemed necessary by the county attorney, for any reason, as necessary to address the county’s legal needs.
  • Approved a conditional use for Focus Forward Solutions, LLC/Fields Farm to permit a private motocross track for personal use on 30.58 acres, on the south end of Fields Farm Lane, approximately 1.25 miles west of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard. A private use motocross track had been operating at the site, in violation of the county’s land development code. The conditional use designation brings it into compliance.
  • Authorized additional purchasing authority in the total amount of $50,000 to Lewis, Longman & Walker P.A., for attorney’s fees, paralegal fees, travel expenses and costs, as may be incurred by the law firm on work done in behalf of the county. The maximum cumulative amount in 2022 is not to exceed $457,301.88. The law firm is handling litigation for the county in connection with the Ridge Road extension.

Published October 20, 2021

More police needed, as city grows

By

Dade City Police Lt. Robert Tungate was a guest speaker at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce business breakfast meeting, held last month at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills.

Among his talking points during the Sept. 21 gathering was how the local law enforcement agency is managing the municipality’s impending residential and commercial growth and development.

About 6,500 new rooftops and several commercial properties have been approved to be built over the next two decades within city limits.

Dade City Police Lieutenant Robert Tungate was a guest speaker during a Sept. 21 business breakfast meeting hosted by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

Homes soon will be popping up across all parts of the city, Tungate said, pointing to scheduled land clearings along Clinton Avenue and U.S. 301, St. Joe Road, and Roberts Road, among other areas.

With that, the local police official predicted the city’s population of some 7,000 residents will “probably” triple within the next five to eight years, and added, “that’s not counting all the amount of traffic that comes in every day to work, especially if we get all these new developments going on.”

“We’re going to swell during the daytime, and then when everybody goes home, we’re, of course, going to have all these rooftops,” Tungate said. “The houses mean more calls for police services.”

As the city balloons, so will its local police department.

The Dade City Police Department presently has five open positions, Tungate said.

One vacancy is due to a retirement, while the other four are newly funded positions in advance of the ensuing growth.

Other changes on tap include the launch of a Chaplain Corps program, to offer advice, counseling and assistance to police employees, particularly in times of crisis and otherwise.

At full strength, the city has budgeted for 27 full-time sworn officers for fiscal year 2021-2022.

This is a number the department hasn’t seen in some time, Tungate said.

To fill these positions, the agency is recruiting local colleges and universities wanting to land “top of the tier” applicants and hires, Tungate said.

To that end, Tungate shared the ongoing battle of being competitive and on par with other Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies in not only recruiting qualified officers, but preventing those from bolting for larger, more prestigious agencies once they gain some field experience.

“This new generation of cops coming in, they’re all saying, ‘What’s in it for me?’ It’s not like the old days where people get a job and they stay there,” explained Tungate.

“These guys are coming in, saying, ‘Hmm, this (agency’s) better, that (agency’s) better,’ for whatever the reason. Sometimes, it’s pay. Not always. Sometimes, it’s working next to a best friend, it doesn’t matter…”

Meanwhile, Tungate thanked the Dade City Commission and Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (who was among dozens in attendance during the meeting) for proactively directing more resources to the police department of late.

“The city manager has done a great job to recognize the need for our police department,” said Tungate. “If we keep growing like we’re growing, the city commission and city manager recognizes that we’re going to grow again.”

This has included increased wages and benefits for patrol officers, detectives and sergeants through new collective bargaining agreements between the city and the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, on behalf of the local law enforcement agency.

Moreover, city leaders recently approved increased public safety impact fees on new single family homes (now $449, up 375% from the prior $94) and retail units (now $462 per 1,000 square feet, up 52% from $304).

The measure was recommended by consulting firm Stantec, given the municipality hadn’t increased since 2004.

Additional revenues from the public safety fees will be used to address the police department’s increased costs of service delivery, operations, capital outlay, training and new equipment, including police vehicles.

The public safety fee hikes, Tungate said, “takes the burden off the city to have to come up with Penny (for Pasco) money or your other tax revenues” to fund local police operations.

Tungate is third in command of the Dade City Police Department and is responsible for the supervision of criminal investigations, forensics, property evidence and records and communications divisions, according to the city’s website.

The lieutenant of police administration also serves as the public information officer and is responsible for agency recruitment and professional standards. He also writes, tracks and manages grants; and supports the annual budget preparation process.

Pasco County District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley also spoke during the breakfast meeting, offering general updates on some of the county’s roadway and development projects.

He took a mostly positive angle on the impending growth coming East Pasco’s way.

Said Oakley, “You’ve got all these homes coming into Dade City, guess what it’s going to do for the businesses in Dade City? It’s going to increase. The economic value of those homes, that’s going to pour into Dade City and make it better, so it’s a good thing for everybody.”

Oakley acknowledged more traffic buildup occurring in these parts, but pointed out supporting infrastructure like roadway improvements and schools can’t be furnished until residential developments and communities are built out and related impact fees collected.

Addressing the crowd, Oakley said, “I know you all know how much growth is happening in Pasco County, and a lot of it has moved to the eastern part of Pasco County, which for us, that’s a lot of new things happening. We want to be a premier county, and we’re going to do things the right way.”

Published October 20, 2021

Rural residents applaud northeast zoning change

By

Often, during rezoning cases, area residents step up to point out potential problems with traffic, flooding and other negative impacts the new development could bring.

But during a recent case involving a property in northeast Pasco County, two residents made it a point to show up to speak in favor of a request.

The request, by Floyd Philmon Groves LLC, involves changing the zoning on 38.02 acres from an agricultural district to an estate residential district, which allows two homes per acre. The site is at the northwest corner of the intersection of Platt and Blanton roads.

The request had received recommendations for approval from the county’s planning staff and from the Pasco County Planning Commission, and since there was no opposition, was included as part of the Pasco County Commission’s consent agenda.

Items on consent are approved in a single motion, without discussion.

But an area resident asked for it to be pulled from the consent agenda because she wanted to discuss it.

So it was pulled, and Nancy Hazelwood, who has been a strong proponent of preserving the rural nature of Northeast Pasco County, stepped up to the podium to address the county board.

“To me, it’s very important to say that this is something that’s being done right, in the Northeast Rural Area, going from Ag (agricultural) to Estate Rural 2,” Hazelwood said.

“It’s something that’s great for us and we hope that this continues to be done in this way,” she said.

Alma Coston, who owns property nearby, told commissioners: “I definitely approve this subdivision.”

Like Hazelwood, she’s been intensely interested in preserving Pasco’s rural areas in the northeast part of the county.

“I’ve been working on this since Sylvia Young was a county commissioner. That’s a long time to go to all of these meetings,” Coston said.

“I’ve been trying to protect this area. I think this whole Northeast Pasco should be 2 ½-acres (lot size) or greater, because this is a rural area and that’s what we want. We want it to stay rural.

“And, most of the new coming people are from Tampa because they want to get away from the congestion, the box home and they want the freedom to have more land with their homes. “They want to have horses, or cattle, or whatever.

“You know, with 2 ½ acres, I’ve seen them have cattle on it.

“I definitely think this is a good plan and all Northeast Pasco (lots) should be 2 ½ acres or greater.”

After the women concluded their remarks, the county board approved the request, 5-0.

Published October 20, 2021

Tourist tax dollars allocated for Dade City visitor center

By

The Pasco County Commission approved an amount not to exceed $250,000 in tourist development tax dollars to be used for a visitor’s information center, in Dade City.

The county board approved the action during its Oct. 12 meeting.

This rendering shows the expected appearance of new visitor information center being built near Hardy Trail, in downtown Dade City. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The vote follows a previous agreement between the Dade City Commission and Pasco board to partner with the Destination Management Organization, known as Florida’s Sports Coast, to develop a visitor information center.

The idea, according to the county board’s agenda backup materials, is to take advantage of the strategic location of Dade City and its trail system.

The Tourist Development Council recommended funding of up to $250,000 for the project, which was approved by the county board.

COVID-19 issues delayed the full execution of the agreement, as well as the project itself.

When the project is completed, Dade City will send the county a written “Notice of Work Completion,” and the county will pay Dade City up to the approved amount.

If the project costs less than $250,000, the county has the discretion to transfer the remaining funds to Dade City for uses that are consistent with a specific section in state statutes, according to the backup materials.

The aim of the visitor’s center is to be a cyclist-friendly visitor center — within a trail system and a downtown area — in order to welcome trail users and visitors, and to promote downtown commerce and tourist amenities, both on and off the trail.

The money is being provided through the Pasco County Tourist Development Council, which receives its funding from taxes that visitors pay on accommodations.

Plans include a 1,380-square-foot open floor plan and two family bathrooms that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The center will be situated on the south side of Church Avenue, near the Hardy Trail multi-use trailhead.

Published October 20, 2021

Full services resume at Dade City tax collector office

By

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has announced that his office’s Dade City location has resumed full services, effective Oct. 15.

The office is located at 14236 Sixth St., No. 100, in the East Pasco Government Center, in Dade City.

The tax collector’s Dade City location has been providing limited services since early August to enable needed remodeling, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

All services provided at the Dade City office prior to the remodel once again will be available including automobile/boat registrations and renewals, driver licenses, title work (Florida title and out-of-state titles transferring to Florida), hunting and fishing licenses, property tax, concealed weapons permits, and property tax payments.

For a complete list of services offered at the tax collector locations, visit PascoTaxes.com.

In addition to the website, call these numbers for more information: 727-847-8032, 813-235-6076 or 352-521-4338.

Calls are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published October 20, 2021